A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Jurassic Park III

Date Viewed: 8/5/01

Details:

Sam Neill

William H. Macy

Tea Leoni

Alessandro Nivola

Director: Joe Johnston

Score: +

The Review: After a lackluster second entry (The Lost World), this finally brings back some of the awe and wonder of the first movie in this series, these being critical factors sorely lacking second time through. Neill is more convincing with awe than Goldblum was with niggling cynicism. And the sense of scale has returned with the "birdcage."

The circumstances, however, and the method used to draw the group into the clutches of the critters, are even more unbelievable than ever before. Suspension of disbelief is highly strained by such madness and stupidity. I missed the calming effect of Laura Dern in the action scenes; she seemed to be involved only peripherally, as if by remote control.

My split vote leans in favor of a "plus" -- I prefer the long-lasting effect of awe over the short term funk from idiocy.

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